Mwanza Region

Mwanza Region is one of the regions of Tanzania. Its capital is Mwanza.

The neighbouring regions are Kagera to the west, Shinyanga to the south, and Mara to the east. Furthermore, Lake Victoria is neighbouring to the North.

The regional commissioner of the Mwanza Region is Daniel Ole Njoolay.

Districts

Mwanza region has a population of 2,942,148 (2002 census) in eight districts, and covers an area of 19,592km2. The districts are Ukerewe (to the north), Magu (to the east), Sengerema and Geita (to the west), Misungwi and Kwimba (to the south), and Nyamagana and Ilemela (the city).

Culture

Before the colonial era, the Mwanza region was, and continues to be, occupied by various tribal groups, included the Wasukuma, the Wakerewe, Wakara and Wazinza. Mwanza city's Makongoro Road is named after a prominent Sukuma chief who controlled the area in the late 1800s. Under British rule, Mwanza region was one district in the Lake Province, which became the Lake Region after independence. In 1963, Mwanza was given the status of a Region.

Mwanza City

Mwanza is a city in northwest Tanzania and a southern port of Lake Victoria. It is the capital of Mwanza Region. According to a 2002 census, the population was 378,327, and Mwanza is the second largest city in Tanzania, after Dar es Salaam. It is located at an altitude of 1,140 metres above sea level.

The city deals with much of the lake trade with neighbouring Uganda and Kenya. Industries include fishing, meatpacking, and manufacturing textiles and soap. Mwanza is connected by rail with Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. To the South, a dirt road connects Mwanza to Shinyanga and Singida and progress has been made to pave it. To the East, Mwanza is connected to the Western Gate of the Serengeti and Musoma via tarmac road.

Mwanza is the cultural centre of the Sukuma, the largest ethnic group in Tanzania. A famous landmark is the Bismarck Rock, a large outcrop of granite rocks.

In 1996, a national tragedy occurred off Mwanza's shores as the MV Bukoba sank in Lake Victoria, drowning hundreds of passengers.